The Iliad Of Homer: Translated Into English Blank Verse: Book XIII.

Argument Of The Thirteenth Book.     Neptune engages on the part of the Grecians. The battle proceeds. Deiphobus advances to combat, but is repulsed by Meriones, who losing his spear, repairs to his tent for another. Teucer slays Imbrius, and Hector Amphimachus. Neptune, under the similitude of Thoas, exhorts Idomeneus. Idomeneus having armed himself in his tent, and going forth to battle, meets Meriones. After discourse held with each other, Idomeneus accommodates Meriones with a spear, and they proceed to battle. Idomeneus slays Othryoneus, and Asius. Deiphobus assails Idomeneus, but, his spear glancing over him, kills Hypsenor. Idomeneus slays Alcathos, son-in-law of Anchises. Deiphobus and Idomeneus respectively summon their friends to their assistance, and a contest ensues for the body of Alcathos.      [1]When Jove to Hector and his host had given      Such entrance to the fleet, to all the woes      And toils of unremitting battle there      He them abandon'd, and his glorious eyes      Averting, on the land look'd down remote      Of the horse-breeding Thracians, of the bold      Close-fighting Mysian race, and where abide      On milk sustain'd, and blest with length of days,      The Hippemolgi,[2] justest of mankind.      No longer now on Troy his eyes he turn'd,      For expectation none within his breast      Survived, that God or Goddess would the Greeks      Approach with succor, or the Trojans more.      Nor Neptune, sovereign of the boundless Deep,      Look'd forth in vain; he on the summit sat      Of Samothracia forest-crown'd, the stir      Admiring thence and tempest of the field;      For thence appear'd all Ida, thence the towers      Of lofty Ilium, and the fleet of Greece.      There sitting from the deeps uprisen, he mourn'd      The vanquished Grecians, and resentment fierce      Conceived and wrath against all-ruling Jove.      Arising sudden, down the rugged steep      With rapid strides he came; the mountains huge      And forests under the immortal feet      Trembled of Ocean's Sovereign as he strode.      Three strides he made, the fourth convey'd him home      To g. At the bottom of the abyss,      There stands magnificent his golden fane,      A dazzling, incorruptible abode.      Arrived, he to his chariot join'd his steeds      Swift, brazen-hoof'd, and maned with wavy gold;      Himself attiring next in gold, he seized      His golden scourge, and to his seat sublime      Ascending, o'er the billows drove; the whales      Leaving their caverns, gambol'd on all sides      Around him, not unconscious of their King;      He swept the surge that tinged not as he pass'd      His axle, and the sea parted for joy.      His bounding coursers to the Grecian fleet      Convey'd him swift. There is a spacious cave      Deep in the bottom of the flood, the rocks      Of Imbrus rude and Tenedos between;      There Neptune, Shaker of the Shores, his steeds      Station'd secure; he loosed them from the yoke,      Gave them ambrosial food, and bound their feet      With golden tethers not to be untied      Or broken, that unwandering they might wait      Their Lord's return, then sought the Grecian host.      The Trojans, tempest-like or like a flame,      Now, following Priamean Hector, all      Came furious on and shouting to the skies.      Their hope was to possess the fleet, and leave      Not an Achaian of the host unslain.      But earth-encircler Neptune from the gulf      Emerging, in the form and with the voice      Loud-toned of Calchas, roused the Argive ranks      To battle--and his exhortation first      To either Ajax turn'd, themselves prepared.      Ye heroes Ajax! your accustomed force      Exert, oh! think not of disastrous flight,      And ye shall save the people. Nought I fear      Fatal elsewhere, although Troy's haughty sons      Have pass'd the barrier with so fierce a throng      Tumultuous; for the Grecians brazen-greaved      Will check them there. Here only I expect      And with much dread some dire event forebode,      Where Hector, terrible as fire, and loud      Vaunting his glorious origin from Jove,      Leads on the Trojans. Oh that from on high      Some God would form the purpose in your hearts      To stand yourselves firmly, and to exhort      The rest to stand! so should ye chase him hence      All ardent as he is, and even although      Olympian Jove himself his rage inspire.      So Neptune spake, compasser of the earth,      And, with his sceptre smiting both, their hearts      Fill'd with fresh fortitude; their limbs the touch      Made agile, wing'd their feet and nerved their arms.      Then, swift as stoops a falcon from the point      Of some rude rock sublime, when he would chase      A fowl of other wing along the meads,      So started Neptune thence, and disappear'd.      Him, as he went, swift Oliades      First recognized, and, instant, thus his speech      To Ajax, son of Telamon, address'd.      Since, Ajax, some inhabitant of heaven      Exhorts us, in the prophet's form to fight      (For prophet none or augur we have seen;      This was not Calchas; as he went I mark'd      His steps and knew him; Gods are known with ease)      I feel my spirit in my bosom fired      Afresh for battle; lightness in my limbs,      In hands and feet a glow unfelt before.      To whom the son of Telamon replied.      I also with invigorated hands      More firmly grasp my spear; my courage mounts,      A buoyant animation in my feet      Bears me along, and I am all on fire      To cope with Priam's furious son, alone.      Thus they, with martial transport to their souls      Imparted by the God, conferr'd elate.      Meantime the King of Ocean roused the Greeks,      Who in the rear, beside their gallant barks      Some respite sought. They, spent with arduous toil,      Felt not alone their weary limbs unapt      To battle, but their hearts with grief oppress'd,      Seeing the numerous multitude of Troy      Within the mighty barrier; sad they view'd      That sight, and bathed their cheeks with many a tear,      Despairing of escape. But Ocean's Lord      Entering among them, soon the spirit stirr'd      Of every valiant phalanx to the fight.      Teucer and Letus, and famed in arms      Peneleus, Thoas and Deipyrus,      Meriones, and his compeer renown'd,      Antilochus; all these in accents wing'd      With fierce alacrity the God address'd.      Oh shame, ye Grecians! vigorous as ye are      And in life's prime, to your exertions most      I trusted for the safety of our ships.      If ye renounce the labors of the field,      Then hath the day arisen of our defeat      And final ruin by the powers of Troy.      Oh! I behold a prodigy, a sight      Tremendous, deem'd impossible by me,      The Trojans at our ships! the dastard race      Fled once like fleetest hinds the destined prey      Of lynxes, leopards, wolves; feeble and slight      And of a nature indisposed to war      They rove uncertain; so the Trojans erst      Stood not, nor to Achaian prowess dared      The hindrance of a moment's strife oppose.      But now, Troy left afar, even at our ships      They give us battle, through our leader's fault      And through the people's negligence, who fill'd      With fierce displeasure against him, prefer      Death at their ships, to war in their defence.      But if the son of Atreus, our supreme,      If Agamemnon, have indeed transgress'd      Past all excuse, dishonoring the swift      Achilles, ye at least the fight decline      Blame-worthy, and with no sufficient plea.      But heal we speedily the breach; brave minds      Easily coalesce. It is not well      That thus your fury slumbers, for the host      Hath none illustrious as yourselves in arms.      I can excuse the timid if he shrink,      But am incensed at you. My friends, beware!      Your tardiness will prove ere long the cause      Of some worse evil. Let the dread of shame      Affect your hearts; oh tremble at the thought      Of infamy! Fierce conflict hath arisen;      Loud shouting Hector combats at the ships      Nobly, hath forced the gates and burst the bar.      With such encouragement those Grecian chiefs      The King of Ocean roused. Then, circled soon      By many a phalanx either Ajax stood,      Whose order Mars himself arriving there      Had praised, or Pallas, patroness of arms.      For there the flower of all expected firm      Bold Hector and his host; spear crowded spear,      Shield, helmet, man, press'd helmet, man and shield;[3]      The hairy crests of their resplendent casques      Kiss'd close at every nod, so wedged they stood;      No spear was seen but in the manly grasp      It quiver'd, and their every wish was war.      The powers of Ilium gave the first assault      Embattled close; them Hector led himself[4]      Right on, impetuous as a rolling rock      Destructive; torn by torrent waters off      From its old lodgment on the mountain's brow,      It bounds, it shoots away; the crashing wood      Falls under it; impediment or check      None stays its fury, till the level found,      There, settling by degrees, it rolls no more;      So after many a threat that he would pass      Easily through the Grecian camp and fleet      And slay to the sea-brink, when Hector once      Had fallen on those firm ranks, standing, he bore      Vehement on them; but by many a spear      Urged and bright falchion, soon, reeling, retired,      And call'd vociferous on the host of Troy.      Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting sons      Of Dardanus, oh stand! not long the Greeks      Will me confront, although embodied close      In solid phalanx; doubt it not; my spear      Shall chase and scatter them, if Jove, in truth,      High-thundering mate of Juno, bid me on.      So saying he roused the courage of them all      Foremost of whom advanced, of Priam's race      Deiphobus, ambitious of renown.      Tripping he came with shorten'd steps,[5] his feet      Sheltering behind his buckler; but at him      Aiming, Meriones his splendid lance      Dismiss'd, nor err'd; his bull-hide targe he struck      But ineffectual; where the hollow wood      Receives the inserted brass, the quivering beam      Snapp'd; then, Deiphobus his shield afar      Advanced before him, trembling at a spear      Hurl'd by Meriones. He, moved alike      With indignation for the victory lost      And for his broken spear, into his band      At first retired, but soon set forth again      In prowess through the Achaian camp, to fetch      Its fellow-spear within his tent reserved.      The rest all fought, and dread the shouts arose      On all sides. Telamonian Teucer, first,      Slew valiant Imbrius, son of Mentor, rich      In herds of sprightly steeds. He ere the Greeks      Arrived at Ilium, in Pedus dwelt,      And Priam's spurious daughter had espoused      Medesicasta. But the barks well-oar'd      Of Greece arriving, he return'd to Troy,      Where he excell'd the noblest, and abode      With Priam, loved and honor'd as his own.      Him Teucer pierced beneath his ear, and pluck'd      His weapon home; he fell as falls an ash      Which on some mountain visible afar,      Hewn from its bottom by the woodman's axe,      With all its tender foliage meets the ground      So Imbrius fell; loud rang his armor bright      With ornamental brass, and Teucer flew      To seize his arms, whom hasting to the spoil      Hector with his resplendent spear assail'd;      He, marking opposite its rapid flight,      Declined it narrowly and it pierced the breast,      As he advanced to battle, of the son      Of Cteatus of the Actorian race,      Amphimachus; he, sounding, smote the plain,      And all his batter'd armor rang aloud.      Then Hector swift approaching, would have torn      The well-forged helmet from the brows away      Of brave Amphimachus; but Ajax hurl'd      Right forth at Hector hasting to the spoil      His radiant spear; no wound the spear impress'd,      For he was arm'd complete in burnish'd brass      Terrific; but the solid boss it pierced      Of Hector's shield, and with enormous force      So shock'd him, that retiring he resign'd      Both bodies,[6] which the Grecians dragg'd away.      Stichius and Menestheus, leaders both      Of the Athenians, to the host of Greece      Bore off Amphimachus, and, fierce in arms      The Ajaces, Imbrius. As two lions bear      Through thick entanglement of boughs and brakes      A goat snatch'd newly from the peasants' cogs,      Upholding high their prey above the ground,      So either Ajax terrible in fight,      Upholding Imbrius high, his brazen arms      Tore off, and Oliades his head      From his smooth neck dissevering in revenge      For slain Amphimachus, through all the host      Sent it with swift rotation like a globe,      Till in the dust at Hector's feet it fell.      Then anger fill'd the heart of Ocean's King,      His grandson[7] slain in battle; forth he pass'd      Through the Achaian camp and fleet, the Greeks      Rousing, and meditating wo to Troy.      It chanced that brave Idomeneus return'd      That moment from a Cretan at the knee      Wounded, and newly borne into his tent;      His friends had borne him off, and when the Chief      Had given him into skilful hands, he sought      The field again, still coveting renown.      Him therefore, meeting him on his return,      Neptune bespake, but with the borrow'd voice      Of Thoas, offspring of Andrmon, King      In Pleuro and in lofty Calydon,      And honor'd by the tolians as a God.      Oh counsellor of Crete! our threats denounced      Against the towers of Troy, where are they now?      To whom the leader of the Cretans, thus,      Idomeneus. For aught that I perceive      Thoas! no Grecian is this day in fault!      For we are all intelligent in arms,      None yields by fear oppress'd, none lull'd by sloth      From battle shrinks; but such the pleasure seems      Of Jove himself, that we should perish here      Inglorious, from our country far remote      But, Thoas! (for thine heart was ever firm      In battle, and thyself art wont to rouse      Whom thou observ'st remiss) now also fight      As erst, and urge each leader of the host.      Him answered, then, the Sovereign of the Deep.      Return that Grecian never from the shores      Of Troy, Idomeneus! but may the dogs      Feast on him, who shall this day intermit      Through wilful negligence his force in fight!      But haste, take arms and come; we must exert      All diligence, that, being only two,      We yet may yield some service. Union much      Emboldens even the weakest, and our might      Hath oft been proved on warriors of renown.      So Neptune spake, and, turning, sought again      The toilsome field. Ere long, Idomeneus      Arriving in his spacious tent, put on      His radiant armor, and, two spears in hand,      Set forth like lightning which Saturnian Jove      From bright Olympus shakes into the air,      A sign to mortal men, dazzling all eyes;      So beam'd the Hero's armor as he ran.      But him not yet far distant from his tent      Meriones, his fellow-warrior met,      For he had left the fight, seeking a spear,      When thus the brave Idomeneus began.      Swift son of Molus! chosen companion dear!      Wherefore, Meriones, hast thou the field      Abandon'd? Art thou wounded? Bring'st thou home      Some pointed mischief in thy flesh infixt?      Or comest thou sent to me, who of myself      The still tent covet not, but feats of arms?      To whom Meriones discreet replied,      Chief leader of the Cretans, brazen-mail'd      Idomeneus! if yet there be a spear      Left in thy tent, I seek one; for I broke      The spear, even now, with which erewhile I fought,      Smiting the shield of fierce Deiphobus.      Then answer thus the Cretan Chief return'd,      Valiant Idomeneus. If spears thou need,      Within my tent, leaning against the wall,      Stand twenty spears and one, forged all in Troy,      Which from the slain I took; for distant fight      Me suits not; therefore in my tent have I      Both spears and bossy shields, with brazen casques      And corselets bright that smile against the sun.      Him answer'd, then, Meriones discreet.      I also, at my tent and in my ship      Have many Trojan spoils, but they are hence      Far distant. I not less myself than thou      Am ever mindful of a warrior's part,      And when the din of glorious arms is heard,      Fight in the van. If other Greeks my deeds      Know not, at least I judge them known to thee.      To whom the leader of the host of Crete      Idomeneus. I know thy valor well,      Why speakest thus to me? Choose we this day      An ambush forth of all the bravest Greeks,      (For in the ambush is distinguish'd best      The courage; there the timorous and the bold      Plainly appear; the dastard changes hue      And shifts from place to place, nor can he calm      The fears that shake his trembling limbs, but sits      Low-crouching on his hams, while in his breast      Quick palpitates his death-foreboding heart,      And his teeth chatter; but the valiant man      His posture shifts not; no excessive fears      Feels he, but seated once in ambush, deems      Time tedious till the bloody fight begin;)      Even there, thy courage should no blame incur.[8]      For should'st thou, toiling in the fight, by spear      Or falchion bleed, not on thy neck behind      Would fall the weapon, or thy back annoy,      But it would meet thy bowels or thy chest      While thou didst rush into the clamorous van.      But haste--we may not longer loiter here      As children prating, lest some sharp rebuke      Reward us. Enter quick, and from within      My tent provide thee with a noble spear.      Then, swift as Mars, Meriones produced      A brazen spear of those within the tent      Reserved, and kindling with heroic fire      Follow'd Idomeneus. As gory Mars      By Terror follow'd, his own dauntless son      Who quells the boldest heart, to battle moves;      From Thrace against the Ephyri they arm,      Or hardy Phlegyans, and by both invoked,      Hear and grant victory to which they please;      Such, bright in arms Meriones, and such      Idomeneus advanced, when foremost thus      Meriones his fellow-chief bespake.      Son of Deucalion! where inclinest thou most      To enter into battle? On the right      Of all the host? or through the central ranks?      Or on the left? for nowhere I account      The Greeks so destitute of force as there.      Then answer thus Idomeneus return'd      Chief of the Cretans. Others stand to guard      The middle fleet; there either Ajax wars,      And Teucer, noblest archer of the Greeks,      Nor less in stationary fight approved.      Bent as he is on battle, they will task      And urge to proof sufficiently the force      Of Priamean Hector; burn his rage      How fierce soever, he shall find it hard,      With all his thirst of victory, to quell      Their firm resistance, and to fire the fleet,      Let not Saturnian Jove cast down from heaven      Himself a flaming brand into the ships.      High towering Telamonian Ajax yields      To no mere mortal by the common gift      Sustain'd of Ceres, and whose flesh the spear      Can penetrate, or rocky fragment bruise;      In standing fight Ajax would not retire      Even before that breaker of the ranks      Achilles, although far less swift than he.      But turn we to the left, that we may learn      At once, if glorious death, or life be ours.      Then, rapid as the God of war, his course      Meriones toward the left began,      As he enjoin'd. Soon as the Trojans saw      Idomeneus advancing like a flame,      And his compeer Meriones in arms      All-radiant clad, encouraging aloud      From rank to rank each other, on they came      To the assault combined. Then soon arose      Sharp contest on the left of all the fleet.      As when shrill winds blow vehement, what time      Dust deepest spreads the ways, by warring blasts      Upborne a sable cloud stands in the air,      Such was the sudden conflict; equal rage      To stain with gore the lance ruled every breast.      Horrent with quivering spears the fatal field      Frown'd on all sides; the brazen flashes dread      Of numerous helmets, corselets furbish'd bright,      And shields refulgent meeting, dull'd the eye,      And turn'd it dark away. Stranger indeed      Were he to fear, who could that strife have view'd      With heart elate, or spirit unperturb'd.      Two mighty sons of Saturn adverse parts      Took in that contest, purposing alike      To many a valiant Chief sorrow and pain.      Jove, for the honor of Achilles, gave      Success to Hector and the host of Troy,      Not for complete destruction of the Greeks      At Ilium, but that glory might redound      To Thetis thence, and to her dauntless son.      On the other side, the King of Ocean risen      Secretly from the hoary Deep, the host      Of Greece encouraged, whom he grieved to see      Vanquish'd by Trojans, and with anger fierce      Against the Thunderer burn'd on their behalf.      Alike from one great origin divine      Sprang they, but Jove was elder, and surpass'd      In various knowledge; therefore when he roused      Their courage, Neptune traversed still the ranks      Clandestine, and in human form disguised.      Thus, these Immortal Two, straining the cord      Indissoluble of all-wasting war,      Alternate measured with it either host,      And loosed the joints of many a warrior bold.      Then, loud exhorting (though himself with age      Half grey) the Achaians, into battle sprang      Idomeneus, and scatter'd, first, the foe,      Slaying Othryoneus, who, by the lure      Of martial glory drawn, had left of late      Cabesus. He Priam's fair daughter woo'd      Cassandra, but no nuptial gift vouchsafed      To offer, save a sounding promise proud      To chase, himself, however resolute      The Grecian host, and to deliver Troy.      To him assenting, Priam, ancient King,      Assured to him his wish, and in the faith      Of that assurance confident, he fought.      But brave Idomeneus his splendid lance      Well-aim'd dismissing, struck the haughty Chief.      Pacing elate the field; his brazen mail      Endured not; through his bowels pierced, with clang      Of all his arms he fell, and thus with joy      Immense exulting, spake Idomeneus.      I give thee praise, Othryoneus! beyond      All mortal men, if truly thou perform      Thy whole big promise to the Dardan king,      Who promised thee his daughter. Now, behold,      We also promise: doubt not the effect.      We give into thy arms the most admired      Of Agamemnon's daughters, whom ourselves      Will hither bring from Argos, if thy force      With ours uniting, thou wilt rase the walls      Of populous Troy. Come--follow me; that here      Among the ships we may adjust the terms      Of marriage, for we take not scanty dower.      So saying, the Hero dragg'd him by his heel      Through all the furious fight. His death to avenge      Asius on foot before his steeds advanced,      For them, where'er he moved, his charioteer      Kept breathing ever on his neck behind.      With fierce desire the heart of Asius burn'd      To smite Idomeneus, who with his lance      Him reaching first, pierced him beneath the chin      Into his throat, and urged the weapon through.      He fell, as some green poplar falls, or oak,      Or lofty pine, by naval artists hewn      With new-edged axes on the mountain's side.      So, his teeth grinding, and the bloody dust      Clenching, before his chariot and his steeds      Extended, Asius lay. His charioteer      (All recollection lost) sat panic-stunn'd,      Nor dared for safety turn his steeds to flight.      Him bold Antilochus right through the waist      Transpierced; his mail sufficed not, but the spear      Implanted in his midmost bowels stood.      Down from his seat magnificent he fell      Panting, and young Antilochus the steeds      Drove captive thence into the host of Greece.      Then came Deiphobus by sorrow urged      For Asius, and, small interval between,      Hurl'd at Idomeneus his glittering lance;      But he, foreseeing its approach, the point      Eluded, cover'd whole by his round shield      Of hides and brass by double belt sustain'd,      And it flew over him, but on his targe      Glancing, elicited a tinkling sound.      Yet left it not in vain his vigorous grasp,      But pierced the liver of Hypsenor, son      Of Hippasus; he fell incontinent,      And measureless exulting in his fall      Deiphobus with mighty voice exclaim'd.      Not unavenged lies Asius; though he seek      Hell's iron portals, yet shall he rejoice,      For I have given him a conductor home.      So he, whose vaunt the Greeks indignant heard!      But of them all to anger most he roused      Antilochus, who yet his breathless friend[9]      Left not, but hasting, fenced him with his shield,      And brave Alastor with Mecisteus son      Of Echius, bore him to the hollow ships      Deep-groaning both, for of their band was he.      Nor yet Idomeneus his warlike rage      Remitted aught, but persevering strove      Either to plunge some Trojan in the shades,      Or fall himself, guarding the fleet of Greece.      Then slew he brave Alcathos the son      Of syeta, and the son-in-law      Of old Anchises, who to him had given      The eldest-born of all his daughters fair,      Hippodamia; dearly loved was she      By both her parents in her virgin state,[10]      For that in beauty she surpass'd, in works      Ingenious, and in faculties of mind      All her covals; wherefore she was deem'd      Well worthy of the noblest prince of Troy.      Him in that moment, Neptune by the arm      Quell'd of Idomeneus, his radiant eyes      Dimming, and fettering his proportion'd limbs.      All power of flight or to elude the stroke      Forsook him, and while motionless he stood      As stands a pillar tall or towering oak,      The hero of the Cretans with a spear      Transfix'd his middle chest. He split the mail      Erewhile his bosom's faithful guard; shrill rang      The shiver'd brass; sounding he fell; the beam      Implanted in his palpitating heart      Shook to its topmost point, but, its force spent,      At last, quiescent, stood. Then loud exclaim'd      Idomeneus, exulting in his fall.      What thinks Deiphobus? seems it to thee      Vain boaster, that, three warriors slain for one,      We yield thee just amends? else, stand thyself      Against me; learn the valor of a Chief      The progeny of Jove; Jove first begat      Crete's guardian, Minos, from which Minos sprang      Deucalion, and from famed Deucalion, I;      I, sovereign of the numerous race of Crete's      Extensive isle, and whom my galleys brought      To these your shores at last, that I might prove      Thy curse, thy father's, and a curse to Troy.      He spake; Deiphobus uncertain stood      Whether, retreating, to engage the help      Of some heroic Trojan, or himself      To make the dread experiment alone.      At length, as his discreeter course, he chose      To seek neas; him he found afar      Station'd, remotest of the host of Troy,      For he resented evermore his worth      By Priam[11] recompensed with cold neglect.      Approaching him, in accents wing'd he said.      neas! Trojan Chief! If e'er thou lov'dst      Thy sister's husband, duty calls thee now      To prove it. Haste--defend with me the dead      Alcathos, guardian of thy tender years,      Slain by Idomeneus the spear-renown'd.      So saying, he roused his spirit, and on fire      To combat with the Cretan, forth he sprang.      But fear seized not Idomeneus as fear      May seize a nursling boy; resolved he stood      As in the mountains, conscious of his force,      The wild boar waits a coming multitude      Of boisterous hunters to his lone retreat;      Arching his bristly spine he stands, his eyes      Beam fire, and whetting his bright tusks, he burns      To drive, not dogs alone, but men to flight;      So stood the royal Cretan, and fled not,      Expecting brave neas; yet his friends      He summon'd, on Ascalaphus his eyes      Fastening, on Aphareus, Deipyrus,      Meriones, and Antilochus, all bold      In battle, and in accents wing'd exclaim'd.      Haste ye, my friends! to aid me, for I stand      Alone, nor undismay'd the coming wait      Of swift neas, nor less brave than swift,      And who possesses fresh his flower of youth,      Man's prime advantage; were we match'd in years      As in our spirits, either he should earn      At once the meed of deathless fame, or I.      He said; they all unanimous approach'd,      Sloping their shields, and stood. On the other side      His aids neas call'd, with eyes toward      Paris, Deiphobus, Agenor, turn'd,      His fellow-warriors bold; them follow'd all      Their people as the pastured flock the ram      To water, by the shepherd seen with joy;      Such joy neas felt, seeing, so soon,      That numerous host attendant at his call.      Then, for Alcathos, into contest close      Arm'd with long spears they rush'd; on every breast      Dread rang the brazen corselet, each his foe      Assailing opposite; but two, the rest      Surpassing far, terrible both as Mars,      neas and Idomeneus, alike      Panted to pierce each other with the spear.      neas, first, cast at Idomeneus,      But, warn'd, he shunn'd the weapon, and it pass'd.      Quivering in the soil neas' lance      Stood, hurl'd in vain, though by a forceful arm.      Not so the Cretan; at his waist he pierced      Oenomas, his hollow corselet clave,      And in his midmost bowels drench'd the spear;      Down fell the Chief, and dying, clench'd the dust.      Instant, his massy spear the King of Crete      Pluck'd from the dead, but of his radiant arms      Despoil'd him not, by numerous weapons urged;      For now, time-worn, he could no longer make      Brisk sally, spring to follow his own spear,      Or shun another, or by swift retreat      Vanish from battle, but the evil day      Warded in stationary fight alone.      At him retiring, therefore, step by step      Deiphobus, who had with bitterest hate      Long time pursued him, hurl'd his splendid lance,      But yet again erroneous, for he pierced      Ascalaphus instead, offspring of Mars;      Right through his shoulder flew the spear; he fell      Incontinent, and dying, clench'd the dust.      But tidings none the brazen-throated Mars      Tempestuous yet received, that his own son      In bloody fight had fallen, for on the heights      Olympian over-arch'd with clouds of gold      He sat, where sat the other Powers divine,      Prisoners together of the will of Jove.      Meantime, for slain Ascalaphus arose      Conflict severe; Deiphobus his casque      Resplendent seized, but swift as fiery Mars      Assailing him, Meriones his arm      Pierced with a spear, and from his idle hand      Fallen, the casque sonorous struck the ground.      Again, as darts the vulture on his prey,      Meriones assailing him, the lance      Pluck'd from his arm, and to his band retired.      Then, casting his fraternal arms around      Deiphobus, him young Polites led      From the hoarse battle to his rapid steeds      And his bright chariot in the distant rear,      Which bore him back to Troy, languid and loud-      Groaning, and bleeding from his recent wound.      Still raged the war, and infinite arose      The clamor. Aphareus, Caletor's son,      Turning to face neas, in his throat      Instant the hero's pointed lance received.      With head reclined, and bearing to the ground      Buckler and helmet with him, in dark shades      Of soul-divorcing death involved, he fell.      Antilochus, observing Thon turn'd      To flight, that moment pierced him; from his back      He ripp'd the vein which through the trunk its course      Winds upward to the neck; that vein he ripp'd      All forth; supine he fell, and with both hands      Extended to his fellow-warriors, died.      Forth sprang Antilochus to strip his arms,      But watch'd, meantime, the Trojans, who in crowds      Encircling him, his splendid buckler broad      Smote oft, but none with ruthless point prevail'd      Even to inscribe the skin of Nestor's son,      Whom Neptune, shaker of the shores, amid      Innumerable darts kept still secure.      Yet never from his foes he shrank, but faced      From side to side, nor idle slept his spear,      But with rotation ceaseless turn'd and turn'd      To every part, now levell'd at a foe      Far-distant, at a foe, now, near at hand.      Nor he, thus occupied, unseen escaped      By Asius' offspring Adamas, who close      Advancing, struck the centre of his shield.      But Neptune azure-hair'd so dear a life      Denied to Adamas, and render'd vain      The weapon; part within his disk remain'd      Like a seer'd stake, and part fell at his feet.      Then Adamas, for his own life alarm'd,      Retired, but as he went, Meriones      Him reaching with his lance, the shame between      And navel pierced him, where the stroke of Mars      Proves painful most to miserable man.      There enter'd deep the weapon; down he fell,      And in the dust lay panting as an ox      Among the mountains pants by peasants held      In twisted bands, and dragg'd perforce along;      So panted dying Adamas, but soon      Ceased, for Meriones, approaching, pluck'd      The weapon forth, and darkness veil'd his eyes.      Helenus, with his heavy Thracian blade      Smiting the temples of Deipyrus,      Dash'd off his helmet; from his brows remote      It fell, and wandering roll'd, till at his feet      Some warrior found it, and secured; meantime      The sightless shades of death him wrapp'd around.      Grief at that spectacle the bosom fill'd      Of valiant Menelaus; high he shook      His radiant spear, and threatening him, advanced      On royal Helenus, who ready stood      With his bow bent. They met; impatient, one,      To give his pointed lance its rapid course,      And one, to start his arrow from the nerve.      The arrow of the son of Priam struck      Atrides' hollow corselet, but the reed      Glanced wide. As vetches or as swarthy beans      Leap from the van and fly athwart the floor,      By sharp winds driven, and by the winnower's force,      So from the corselet of the glorious Greek      Wide-wandering flew the bitter shaft away.      But Menelaus the left-hand transpierced      Of Helenus, and with the lance's point      Fasten'd it to his bow; shunning a stroke      More fatal, Helenus into his band      Retired, his arm dependent at his side,      And trailing, as he went, the ashen beam;      There, bold Agenor from his hand the lance      Drew forth, then folded it with softest wool      Around, sling-wool, and borrow'd from the sling      Which his attendant into battle bore.      Then sprang Pisander on the glorious Chief      The son of Atreus, but his evil fate      Beckon'd him to his death in conflict fierce,      Oh Menelaus, mighty Chief! with thee.      And now they met, small interval between.      Atrides hurl'd his weapon, and it err'd.      Pisander with his spear struck full the shield      Of glorious Menelaus, but his force      Resisted by the stubborn buckler broad      Fail'd to transpierce it, and the weapon fell      Snapp'd at the neck. Yet, when he struck, the heart      Rebounded of Pisander, full of hope.      But Menelaus, drawing his bright blade,      Sprang on him, while Pisander from behind      His buckler drew a brazen battle-axe      By its long haft of polish'd olive-wood,      And both Chiefs struck together. He the crest      That crown'd the shaggy casque of Atreus' son      Hew'd from its base, but Menelaus him      In his swift onset smote full on the front      Above his nose; sounded the shatter'd bone,      And his eyes both fell bloody at his feet.      Convolved with pain he lay; then, on his breast      Atrides setting fast his heel, tore off      His armor, and exulting thus began.      So shall ye leave at length the Grecian fleet,      Traitors, and never satisfied with war!      Nor want ye other guilt, dogs and profane!      But me have injured also, and defied      The hot displeasure of high-thundering Jove      The hospitable, who shall waste in time,      And level with the dust your lofty Troy.      I wrong'd not you, yet bore ye far away      My youthful bride who welcomed you, and stole      My treasures also, and ye now are bent      To burn Achaia's gallant fleet with fire      And slay her heroes; but your furious thirst      Of battle shall hereafter meet a check.      Oh, Father Jove! Thee wisest we account      In heaven or earth, yet from thyself proceed      All these calamities, who favor show'st      To this flagitious race the Trojans, strong      In wickedness alone, and whose delight      In war and bloodshed never can be cloy'd.      All pleasures breed satiety, sweet sleep,      Soft dalliance, music, and the graceful dance,      Though sought with keener appetite by most      Than bloody war; but Troy still covets blood.      So spake the royal Chief, and to his friends      Pisander's gory spoils consigning, flew      To mingle in the foremost fight again.      Him, next, Harpalion, offspring of the King      Pylmenes assail'd; to Troy he came      Following his sire, but never thence return'd.      He, from small distance, smote the central boss      Of Menelaus' buckler with his lance,      But wanting power to pierce it, with an eye      Of cautious circumspection, lest perchance      Some spear should reach him, to his band retired.      But him retiring with a brazen shaft      Meriones pursued; swift flew the dart      To his right buttock, slipp'd beneath the bone,      His bladder grazed, and started through before.      There ended his retreat; sudden he sank      And like a worm lay on the ground, his life      Exhaling in his fellow-warrior's arms,      And with his sable blood soaking the plain.      Around him flock'd his Paphlagonians bold,      And in his chariot placed drove him to Troy,      With whom his father went, mourning with tears      A son, whose death he never saw avenged.      Him slain with indignation Paris view'd,      For he, with numerous Paphlagonians more      His guest had been; he, therefore, in the thirst      Of vengeance, sent a brazen arrow forth.      There was a certain Greek, Euchenor, son      Of Polyides the soothsayer, rich      And brave in fight, and who in Corinth dwelt      He, knowing well his fate, yet sail'd to Troy      For Polyides oft, his reverend sire,      Had prophecied that he should either die      By some dire malady at home, or, slain      By Trojan hands, amid the fleet of Greece.      He, therefore, shunning the reproach alike      Of the Achaians, and that dire disease,      Had join'd the Grecian host; him Paris pierced      The ear and jaw beneath; life at the stroke      Left him, and darkness overspread his eyes.      So raged the battle like devouring fire.      But Hector dear to Jove not yet had learn'd,      Nor aught surmised the havoc of his host      Made on the left, where victory crown'd well-nigh      The Grecians animated to the fight      By Neptune seconding himself their arms.      He, where he first had started through the gate      After dispersion of the shielded Greeks      Compact, still persevered. The galleys there      Of Ajax and Protesilas stood      Updrawn above the hoary Deep; the wall      Was there of humblest structure, and the steeds      And warriors there conflicted furious most.      The Epeans there and Ionians[12] robed-      Prolix, the Phthians,[13] Locrians, and the bold      Boetians check'd the terrible assault      Of Hector, noble Chief, ardent as flame,      Yet not repulsed him. Chosen Athenians form'd      The van, by Peteos' son, Menestheus, led,      Whose high command undaunted Bias shared,      Phidas and Stichius. The Epean host      Under Amphion, Dracius, Meges, fought.      Podarces brave in arms the Phthians ruled,      And Medon (Medon was by spurious birth      Brother of Ajax Oliades,      And for his uncle's death, whom he had slain,      The brother of Oleus' wife, abode      In Phylace; but from Iphiclus sprang      Podarces;) these, all station'd in the front      Of Phthias' hardy sons, together strove      With the Boeotians for the fleet's defence.      Ajax the swift swerved never from the side      Of Ajax son of Telamon a step,      But as in some deep fallow two black steers      Labor combined, dragging the ponderous plow,      The briny sweat around their rooted horns      Oozes profuse; they, parted as they toil      Along the furrow, by the yoke alone,      Cleave to its bottom sheer the stubborn glebe,      So, side by side, they, persevering fought.[14]      The son of Telamon a people led      Numerous and bold, who, when his bulky limbs      Fail'd overlabor'd, eased him of his shield.      Not so attended by his Locrians fought      Oleus' valiant son; pitch'd battle them      Suited not, unprovided with bright casques      Of hairy crest, with ashen spears, and shields      Of ample orb; for, trusting in the bow      And twisted sling alone, they came to Troy,      And broke with shafts and volley'd stones the ranks.      Thus occupying, clad in burnish'd arms,      The van, these two with Hector and his host      Conflicted, while the Locrians from behind      Vex'd them with shafts, secure; nor could the men      Of Ilium stand, by such a shower confused.      Then, driven with dreadful havoc thence, the foe      To wind-swept Ilium had again retired.      Had not Polydamas, at Hector's side      Standing, the dauntless hero thus address'd.      Hector! Thou ne'er canst listen to advice;      But think'st thou, that if heaven in feats of arms      Give thee pre-eminence, thou must excel      Therefore in council also all mankind?      No. All-sufficiency is not for thee.      To one, superior force in arms is given,      Skill to another in the graceful dance,      Sweet song and powers of music to a third,      And to a fourth loud-thundering Jove imparts      Wisdom, which profits many, and which saves      Whole cities oft, though reverenced but by few.      Yet hear; I speak as wisest seems to me.      War, like a fiery circle, all around      Environs thee; the Trojans, since they pass'd      The bulwark, either hold themselves aloof,      Or, wide-dispersed among the galleys, cope      With numbers far superior to their own.      Retiring, therefore, summon all our Chiefs      To consultation on the sum of all,      Whether (should heaven so prosper us) to rush      Impetuous on the gallant barks of Greece,      Or to retreat secure; for much I dread      Lest the Achaians punctually refund      All yesterday's arrear, since yonder Chief[15]      Insatiable with battle still abides      Within the fleet, nor longer, as I judge,      Will rest a mere spectator of the field.      So spake Polydamas, whose safe advice      Pleased Hector; from his chariot down he leap'd      All arm'd, and in wing'd accents thus replied.      Polydamas! here gather all the Chiefs;      I haste into the fight, and my commands      Once issued there, incontinent return.      He ended, and conspicuous as the height      Of some snow-crested mountain, shouting ranged      The Trojans and confederates of Troy.      They swift around Polydamas, brave son      Of Panthus, at the voice of Hector, ran.      Himself with hasty strides the front, meantime,      Of battle roam'd, seeking from rank to rank      Asius Hyrtacides, with Asius' son      Adamas, and Deiphobus, and the might      Of Helenus, his royal brother bold.      Them neither altogether free from hurt      He found, nor living all. Beneath the sterns      Of the Achaian ships some slaughter'd lay      By Grecian hands; some stricken by the spear      Within the rampart sat, some by the sword.      But leftward of the woful field he found,      Ere long, bright Helen's paramour his band      Exhorting to the fight. Hector approach'd,      And him, in fierce displeasure, thus bespake.      Curst Paris, specious, fraudulent and lewd!      Where is Deiphobus, and where the might      Of royal Helenus? Where Adamas      Offspring of Asius, and where Asius, son      Of Hyrtacus, and where Othryoneus?      Now lofty Ilium from her topmost height      Falls headlong, now is thy own ruin sure!      To whom the godlike Paris thus replied.      Since Hector! thou art pleased with no just cause      To censure me, I may decline, perchance,      Much more the battle on some future day,      For I profess some courage, even I.      Witness our constant conflict with the Greeks      Here, on this spot, since first led on by thee      The host of Troy waged battle at the ships.      But those our friends of whom thou hast inquired      Are slain, Deiphobus alone except      And royal Helenus, who in the hand      Bear each a wound inflicted by the spear,      And have retired; but Jove their life preserved.      Come now--conduct us whither most thine heart      Prompts thee, and thou shalt find us ardent all      To face like danger; what we can, we will,      The best and most determined can no more.      So saying, the hero soothed his brother's mind.      Then moved they both toward the hottest war      Together, where Polydamas the brave,      Phalces, Cebriones, Orthus fought,      Palmys and Polyphoetes, godlike Chief,      And Morys and Ascanius, gallant sons      Both of Hippotion. They at Troy arrived      From fair Ascania the preceding morn,      In recompense for aid[16] by Priam lent      Erewhile to Phrygia, and, by Jove impell'd,      Now waged the furious battle side by side.      The march of these at once, was as the sound      Of mighty winds from deep-hung thunder-clouds      Descending; clamorous the blast and wild      With ocean mingles; many a billow, then,      Upridged rides turbulent the sounding flood,      Foam-crested billow after billow driven,      So moved the host of Troy, rank after rank      Behind their Chiefs, all dazzling bright in arms.      Before them Priameian Hector strode      Fierce as gore-tainted Mars, and his broad shield      Advancing came, heavy with hides, and thick-      Plated with brass; his helmet on his brows      Refulgent shook, and in its turn he tried      The force of every phalanx, if perchance      Behind his broad shield pacing he might shake      Their steadfast order; but he bore not down      The spirit of the firm Achaian host.      Then Ajax striding forth, him, first, defied.      Approach. Why temptest thou the Greeks to fear?      No babes are we in aught that appertains      To arms, though humbled by the scourge of Jove.      Thou cherishest the foolish hope to burn      Our fleet with fire; but even we have hearts      Prepared to guard it, and your populous Troy,      By us dismantled and to pillage given,      Shall perish sooner far. Know this thyself      Also; the hour is nigh when thou shalt ask      In prayer to Jove and all the Gods of heaven,      That speed more rapid than the falcon's flight      May wing thy coursers, while, exciting dense      The dusty plain, they whirl thee back to Troy.      While thus he spake, sublime on the right-hand      An eagle soar'd; confident in the sign      The whole Achaian host with loud acclaim      Hail'd it. Then glorious Hector thus replied.      Brainless and big, what means this boast of thine,      Earth-cumberer Ajax? Would I were the son      As sure, for ever, of almighty Jove      And Juno, and such honor might receive      Henceforth as Pallas and Apollo share,      As comes this day with universal wo      Fraught for the Grecians, among whom thyself      Shalt also perish if thou dare abide      My massy spear, which shall thy pamper'd flesh      Disfigure, and amid the barks of Greece      Falling, thou shalt the vultures with thy bulk      Enormous satiate, and the dogs of Troy.      He spake, and led his host; with clamor loud      They follow'd him, and all the distant rear      Came shouting on. On the other side the Greeks      Re-echoed shout for shout, all undismay'd,      And waiting firm the bravest of their foes.      Upwent the double roar into the heights      Ethereal, and among the beams of Jove.